From Neglected To New York Queen

he calm of my Los Angeles penthouse. An arranged marriage to Everett

iends, my rocks during a mysterious illness. But a new inter

y award, all to gain their sympathy. Danial and Ismael, once my protectors, turned their backs, their concern solely for her. "Ange

y, leaving me alone. Later, Danial, enraged by a broken vase, shoved me, causing a head

ergies, the times they held my hand in the emergency room. The gard

rangers. My decision was made. I burned our shared memories, resigned from my

pte

voice said through the phone, as calm

of scattered jewels. The cool night air felt good against my skin. I had just been discharged from th

asked, my voice

. "The Bryants called. They think it's time

An arranged marriage, a pact made between our grandfathers decade

ut at the vast, glittering expanse of LA, a city that h

k, then?" my mother asked, a

-knit trio. They were more like brothers, our lives so intertwined it was hard to tell where o

g had felt..

instantly. "I'll come back. I just n

elief. "Good. That's

in months, I felt a sense of purpose that wasn't tied to a bluep

hrowing a party. It was a welcome party for Judi Coffey, a new intern at my architecture firm who

riends. I saw Danial, the CEO of his family' s tech empire, laughing with a group near the bar. Ismael, the wo

ed to notic

blend of innocence and nervousness. She wore a simple white dress that made her look you

widened. She walked over,

I'm so glad you could make it. I was wo

offering a small smile

believe they'd do all this for me." She looked down at

ok fine

stay a bit longer? I know I have to be at the office

as you like," I said, turn

them it's okay? They listen to you. They said they're just

face. Her eyes were wide and pleading. It was a

my permission to stay at a party," I

in her eyes, and she quickly let

ce trembling. "I didn't mean to bot

atrical move. She tripped over her own feet and fell, the tray of d

ud

ant. They rushed past me, their faces e

d, his voice laced with wor

question was sharp, his gaze

. I just... I think I upset Angelina, and I got flustered." She looked at me, her expressio

Their whispers were low, bu

okay, Judi. It wasn't your fault." He looked at me, his eyes cold. "Ang

ing demeanor gone. "Yeah, Ange.

er than anyone. And in that moment, I saw them clearly for the first time in a long time. They weren't lookin

t, the way they both held my hand in the emergency room after my first bad fall from a horse. The memories were warm, but the reality standi

ue from my illness. I was tired of this city, of these peop

oice flat and devoid of emot

n't need to. I knew what I would see: Danial and

m, a decision settled in my heart, hard and final. I wasn't jus